Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), narrowly escaped death on Friday after his convoy came under heavy gunfire from suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State. The ambush, which occurred near a frontline military base, was confirmed by Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District.
According to Ndume, Buratai and his accompanying soldiers were attacked as they traveled through the volatile region. A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, with Buratai’s team responding gallantly to repel the insurgents. Despite their efforts, the attackers managed to destroy several military assets, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPVs), tanks, and machine guns. In some cases, the insurgents also carted away weaponry and equipment.
Ndume described the situation in Borno as rapidly deteriorating, warning that insurgents now move freely, torching and stealing military equipment. He painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s broader security landscape, noting that all six geopolitical zones are experiencing significant security challenges, with only the South-West remaining relatively stable.
The attack on Buratai, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021 and played a central role in the country’s counterinsurgency campaign, has heightened concerns about the escalating insecurity in the North-East and renewed calls for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture.